Directions: For each event or character listed, state the symbolic meaning and offer a supporting reference from the text. (18 points).
Character Symbolism Supporting Reference
1. Paul The lost generation Realizes he has lost
everything his past and future
2. Kat he is a good friend to Paul People can see hope through
him because he always finds
food
3. Albert Kropp Thinker He always comes up with a
theory
4. Leer How young soldiers are He was the first to grow a
beard
5. Franz Kemmerich majority of the soldiers He dies early with an
amputated leg
6. Detering those forced to be in the war When he ran away from the
military to go back home
7. Kantorek supporters He encourages all his
students to join.
8. Corporal Himmelstoss those who change in war Once he was given a higher
position he abused that power
Scene or Situation Symbolism Supporting Reference
1. The theft of He lost time in his life Kemmerich lost his watch
Kemmerich�s watch just as he did with his life
2. Kemmerich�s death How people die in pain His left leg was amputated
and had to bear that pain until he died
3. the front Area of death At the front, people never
know when they will die but most likely they will.
4. Earth! Earth! Earth! Life (nature) Earth is where they live to
die.
5. coffin stacked against Soldiers are too young to die Because the coffins (death)
a school house wall were lining a school house
wall up against soldiers.
6. the death of the Lives of soldiers Horses are innocent like
horses soldiers and yet they die.
7. Paul dreaming of Youth memories He still holds onto these childhood scenes memories because he does
during a battle not want it to be the end of
his past life.
8. The plight of the Unjustness of war These young soldiers did not
infantrymen need more trouble in their
during battle lives because their
lives were already tough.
9. The young Inexperience These young recruits do not
recruits have enough experience and
shouldn�t have to be there.
Scene or Situation
10. The encounter with Lost Generation They are still very young and
the French girls have never fallen in love.
They aren�t married or have kids. This helps to show the lost generation.
11. Paul�s visit home Childhood restores All his memories come back
to him after he goes home. Everything he thought he has lost was there at home.
12. The Russian Shared Humanity These innocent prisoners
Prisoners should not be locked up like
so because they are just like Paul, individuals who thought it would be an honor to help their country.
13. Sharing the goose Camaraderie They are starving, they only
get a goose, yet they still share it together.
14. The death of Gerard Shared Humanity Paul realizes that they are not
Duval much different
15. Paul�s friends� Reassurance Paul�s good friends reassure
voices in the dark him that they are still alive
during combat and vise versa.
16. The death of Kat Loss of Friendship Paul loses his best friend.
17. Paul�s death Relief Even though Paul dies, he is
now away from all the pain and grief, he is finally free and in peace.
18. The boots Death Whoever has the boots dies.